Matt Lauer has returned, but don’t call it a comeback.
The former The Today Show anchor, whose career melted down over allegations of sexual assault and misconduct, published a scathing critique of journalist Ronan Farrow last night. In it, Lauer blames Farrow for destroying his career and calls into question his journalistic ethics and methods.
Farrow, the son of Woody Allen and Mia Farrow, won a Pulitzer Prize in 2018 for his reporting on sexual misconduct in show business, particularly the harassment and blackballing by producer and convicted rapist Harvey Weinstein. Farrow’s nonfiction book Catch and Kill detailed allegations against Weinstein, Bill Cosby, CBS CEO Les Moonves, and against Lauer. In the wake of the allegations, NBC fired Lauer from The Today Show in 2017.
Related: Ronan Farrow says ‘National Enquirer’ tried blackmailing him to hide its pro-Trump agenda
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Now Lauer, who has maintained a low profile since his firing, has lashed out against Farrow and rebutting allegations that he raped or sexually harassed women during his tenure with NBC. Lauer cites purposely misleading passages in the book, slams Farrow for not attempting to corroborate allegations against Lauer with third parties and claims that Farrow’s own grudge against NBC helped fuel his discrediting of Lauer.
Lauer also swipes at Farrow for interviewing his former co-anchor Ann Curry, whom Lauer claims attacked him over a personal grudge. Widespread media reports have singled out Lauer as the one responsible for Curry’s sudden firing from The Today Show in 2012.
Lauer’s op-ed, published on Media-ite, is the second major article to accuse Farrow of irresponsible journalism this week. New York Times writer Ben Smith also published a piece critical of Farrow’s reporting and fact-checking in Catch and Kill.
Chrisk
I don’t know Matt Lauer but he doesn’t strike me as a nice guy himself.
chase_boston
you don´t have to, minions in “privilege” behaving badly … (or aka unable to get away with their behavior)
Kieran
When you expose one of Fake News’ own, “Me Too” and “Believe All Women” goes right out the window.
Chrisk
Kieran
He got fired didn’t he?
Cam
@Kieran
So it isn’t just Trump you defend, it’s all rapists.
Kangol2
Matt Lauer got busted for his extensive history of bad behavior, so now he’s lashing out at Ronan Farrow, but the fact remains, Matt Lauer was able to get away with what he was doing for years, and the network allegedly looked the other way to protect their “star.” Now he’s gone and truthfully, who misses him? Just take those millions, find a quiet place, and remain out of the limelight. I mean, does he really want people to keep digging into his messiness?
Heywood Jablowme
Wow, you sure dug up an old photo of Matt, he hasn’t had that much hair since the 20th century.
Jared MacBride
Lauer has no one but himself to thank for the end of his career. And it’s not just what he did, it’s his arrogance about it.
jjose712
The new york times article didn’t get what they wanted (at least by twitter reaction) and i doubt Lauer will be more successful
GlobeTrotter
I get it, Matt is bad, Matt is mean, Matt is a creep. But even bad, mean creeps deserve truth and fairness. I’ve suspected for years now that Ronan Farrow was nothing more than a hack journalist with a deep grudge who used his connections to carry out one of the greatest smear campaigns in history. His book reads like it was written by a 12 year old and like Matt Lauer and the NYT point out, he makes one sensational accusation after another without offering any proof or collaborative source whatsoever. Just like a hurt child with an abiding grudge, his aim was to take down “the man”, no matter the cost. The fact that he took down some bad guys however does not excuse the collateral damage left in their wake. I predict that in time, Ronan Farrow will be revealed for the fake journalist he is and will be called to account for all the innocent people he has hurt.
Kangol2
Let’s put it this way; Ronan Farrow allegedly only scratched the surface with Lauer. One of Lauer’s critics predicted the explosion of bad news to come about him, and this same person said that there might be more accusers who had not come forward. Does Lauer really want to go down that road?
GlobeTrotter
I have nothing against sexual harassment, but you have to provide proof. It’s not enough to simply make sensational accusations – you also have to fact check and interview witnesses, and this is where Ronan Farrow comes up short. Now I’m open to the idea that Matt Lauer is a sexual predator and deserves to be shamed and shunned, however you have to have proof of bad behavior. You can’t just say he deserves all of this because he looks and acts like a creep. You need to interview and quote witnesses who saw or heard his bad behavior. If you don’t have any proof, then leave him alone in peace.
TedV
If Matt Lauer feels Farrow smeared him without facts, his recourse is to sue. But he’s not doing that, is he? In fact, nobody at NBC, with their endless legal resources, is suing. That tells me all I need to know…
SPDuffy
I read Ronan’s book and I’ve listened to his podcast and he is an excellent journalist who methodically shows you the receipts for everything he’s telling you. Anyone who rants about his lack of professionalism or journalistic ethics is full of it. He’s got a lot of these women on tape. He was careful and thoughtful and skeptical at every step of the way. I dare you to read the account of Lauer’s anal rape of a young woman at the Olympics in Japan – really read it with an open mind – and then repeat these unfounded criticisms of Farrow. You won’t be able to. This is the problem with the internet and comment sections. Folks who never read anything think they have the right to mouth off about what they guess might be the case. Please, for the good of humanity, STFU.
Jim
LOL as if Matt. was ever a journalist
Mattster
Lauer’s complaints are damaging, if true. I’m considering the source, however, Lauer obviously has an interest in clearing his name or at least muddying the waters. It strikes me as pretty unlikely that Farrow and his publisher would act so recklessly; if his work was really so thinly sourced they are both prime targets for lawsuits. And from people with the resources and connections to hire big attorneys, too. And if none of this happened and there’s no basis for the accusation–why did he wait until now?
I’m looking forward to Rowan’s response, I don’t imagine it’ll take long.
Kieran
Who’s Rowan?
blackhook
Check out Stephen Colbert’s interview with Ronan Farrow, on YouTube. Farrow describes how he & his team *thoroughly* fact checked & vetted with a legal team, etc… Matt Lauer is not only despicable, he is a slimy reptilian creature who is trying to slither his way back into public acclaim. Don’t fall for it. Lauer is no different than other powerful men who got away with this shit for decades.
jackscott
Matt is a complete jerk! Based on his actions, he shouldn’t talk about others, especially those willing to shine a light on Matt & others like him!
Toofie
Matt thought here was blood in the water to go after Ronan. But Matt forgot nobody cares what he thinks.
Sister Bertha Bedderthanyu
Matt, calm down. Farrow looks the type that by years end he will end up being accused of molesting a teenage boy.
curiobi
Excuse me? So Farrow is the problem here, based on his look?. Sit down! If it was not for Farrow Weinstein would have gotten away with his terrible behaviour and outright crimes.
Also Farrow looks exactly like Frank Sinatra did at that age, for well discussed reasons, so by your foolish and libellous words Old Blue Eyes was also a molester because it is essentially the same face.
Stop, just Stop. Matt has never taken an ounce of responsibility for the harm he was investigated by his employers for causing and sacked because of. -Don’t try to defend Matt by talking trash about Farrow.
Jared MacBride
@Sister Bertha Bedderthanyu – was that a lame attempt at humor?
Sister Bertha Bedderthanyu
To both of you I say stay tuned. He had a screwed up family and no doubt grew up in a screwed up household as well. Be patient.
DarkZephyr
He had a screwed up childhood so that makes him evil? You are NOT a good person, Bertha.
Sister Bertha Bedderthanyu
@dark……His report on abuse takes the tone of a crusade. Dont forget that Woody Allen was having sex with his stepdaughter in the house while he and Mia lived together. He no doubt knew about what was going on, saw his mom hurt and could only sit back and watch as his sister was lured into incest with Woody. One can only imagine the other events that took place in that household that was so bad Mia went public with it. Imagine the hell he caught at school from the other kids once they got wind of it. I might be wrong, yes, but some how I think I’m on the right path in my description of his upbringing and the saying money does not necessarily bring happiness.
Cam
Translation: NBC investigated Lauer and found enough to fire him AND break the contract that would have paid him off for his last 2 years even if he was fired.
But you want to offer Lauer confort and smear one of the guys who exposed him as a rapist.
Sister Bertha Bedderthanyu
The guy who exposed Lauer as a rapist looks like a soon to be one himself. Is he married? Does he have any kids? Does he have a girlfriend? Does he like guys?
Cam
@Sister Bertha Bedderthanyu
So you have no proof, or even the suggestion of anything, yet seem so desperate to protect a rapist that you’re making things up to defend him.
OLSinFLA
No, he doesn’t have a girlfriend. he’s gay (duh). He does, however, have a fiancee. You comments show you know nothing about the man.
Sister Bertha Bedderthanyu
@OLSinFLA……”You comments show you know nothing about the man.”
You are correct and that maniacal look and aura about him has a LOT to do with it. He looks like a cannibal that would have Academy Award winning sex with you (with him as the cross dressing bottom) and then turn into Hannibal Lechter. I keep telling you people that kid has problems up the yang-yang but you won’t believe me. Too many of you have never heard the saying “let ye whom have’th no sin throw the first stone” and that expose proves it. Stay tuned folks.
Gary Q VV
Ronan struck the proverbial nerve that brought down another high profile sexual abuser. Why did Lauer write the op-ed for a weak attempt to disgrace a talented Pulitzer Prize winner? Could it be anger, revenge, homophobia? Take your pick, no, pick all of the above. Lauer was just another ‘talking head’, a performer. There’s nothing wrong with that profession. But, when you get too big for your britches, (and I’m not referring to his crotch ’cause I wouldn’t know), and you use your position and clout to sexually attack people, leave in shame and shut up. PS, good riddance!
Troysky
….Ronan or no Ronan ….do we believe Lauer to be innocent? …..the more interesting story is Ronan’s DNA – that dude looks half like Frank Sinatra hands down, imo….but that would implicate Mia, hence, the current stalemate….unless.
PinkoOfTheGange
The truth is Ronan looks like his maternal Grandfather John Farrow; John could of been Sinatra’s stand-in if he wasn’t 6 feet tall.
storm45701
Lauer had locks installed on his door that he could activate from his desk. He would reportedly trap interns and others in the office with him.
jkb
Anyone in Lauer’s position should drink a tall glass of STFU. Creep.
Cam
This is a setup by the old boys network and was all planned out. We had articles pop in the major papers the day before Lauer’s Op Ed ran.
Basically the BIG problem they point out with Farrow is that in an interview he said these women were interviewed, a slip of the tongue, because in his book, in writing he WROTE that they were willing to be interviewed. Lauer is trying to claim farrow lied, but he leaves out the fact that Farrow already wrote the truth.
One other argument from Lauer is that Farrow claimed people were scared to talk about him because he was in authority. Lauer then says that he wasn’t anybody’s boss. He leaves out the fact that he was the star and could have anybody he wanted fired. Just ask Ann Curry.
Oh, and the other problem is, Lauer can’t dispute any of the revelations, he was investigated, fired, and didn’t get any of his remaining payout which means there was enough evidence to bury him.
Toofie
Exactly. NBC investigated and fired him without paying out his contract. Lauer never sued NBC for that money. He thought he could jump on the other article to resuscitate his career in some way. Not going to happen.
succubus
another fool is born
Cam
@succubus
(GASP) What a shock, ALL of the right wing anti-LGBT troll accounts are scrambling to defend rapists.
So tell me troll, exactly what in my post was inaccurate. If I’m such a “fool”, then I must have written something foolish. Please detail that out for us.
PinkoOfTheGange
It seems like he is just parroting Smith’s piece. Seems a little hypocritical not to do some of his own analysis and whine about some else’s methods.
salumbre
I’m far from being a fan of Ronan Farrow –born with a silver spoon up his kazoo, and willing to sell his own father for a buck and a bit of publicity.
But this is a clear-cut case of the pot calling the kettle black.
Sister Bertha Bedderthanyu
“But this is a clear-cut case of the pot calling the kettle black.”
So you see the same thing too, huh?
phillycap
Let’s see. You are 62 years old and you serially cheated on your wife with MULTIPLE women. Not just the odd rando. MULTIPLE women. Excuse me if I find it hard to have ANY SYMPATHY. Go back to your multimillion dollar Hamptons manse and mix with the shallow vapid people which you always were. You were the journalistic equivalent of a lottery winner who actually thought he was good at what he did. Apparently Farrow’s publishers thought he was on pretty solid ground and if you thought that what he did was so egregious, you could have sued him. And if you thought you were wrongfully terminated, you could have sued NBC. But, nah, you walked away with bank. A pity party really isn’t what you’re going to get from regular folk.